Austin/Travis County Reentry Systems Simulation
The Harsh Realities of Post-Incarceration Reentry
On April 11, 2025, the Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable hosted a powerful and eye-opening Systems Simulation at Austin Community College’s Rio Grande Campus. Funded through local support, this immersive event was designed to give community members, service providers, and system stakeholders a firsthand look at the challenges justice-impacted individuals face during the first month after release from incarceration.
The simulation was structured into four timed sessions, each representing one week of reentry. Participants were assigned fictional identities and required to complete real-world tasks such as obtaining identification, attending court-mandated check-ins, securing housing and employment, and managing family obligations—all while navigating limited resources and the consequences of a criminal record.
Though many participants began in relatively stable situations—living with family or in transitional housing—most found themselves unhoused or reincarcerated by the end of the simulation. One participant became so overwhelmed by the demands of reentry that he asked his parole officer to send him back to prison, stating it was too difficult to keep up with the requirements. Others playing the roles of parents experienced deep emotional challenges. Both lost their children to CPS during the simulation; one was later reunited, while the other permanently lost custody.
The simulation featured five core components:
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Reentry: Participants attempted to obtain vital documents like birth certificates, social security cards, and state-issued IDs—barriers that often delay access to jobs, housing, and healthcare.
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Mental Health: Through the use of headsets simulating auditory hallucinations, participants experienced what it might feel like to live with untreated schizophrenia or anxiety while trying to complete everyday tasks.
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Family Balancing Act: Participants acted as single parents, juggling the responsibilities of childcare, school drop-off, and accessing support services—all while trying to remain compliant with other reentry obligations.
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Immigration: Individuals with undocumented status faced profiling, language access barriers, and legal uncertainties, illustrating the fear and instability experienced by justice-impacted immigrants.
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Housing Insecurity: Participants were repeatedly denied housing due to their criminal record, shedding light on systemic barriers that increase the risk of homelessness and recidivism.
The simulation ended with a debrief, evaluations, and powerful testimonies from individuals with lived experience. Brother Robert Lilly, Co-Chair of the Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable, offered closing reflections that underscored the importance of compassion, equity, and long-term support in reentry efforts.
More than 65 people attended, including representatives from the Austin Area Urban League, ECHO, Travis County Public Defender’s Office, Reverse Reentry Services, and Grassroots Leadership. Many volunteers were justice-impacted individuals themselves, trained beforehand to facilitate the event and bring depth to the experience.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants described the event as transformative, with many expressing a renewed commitment to changing policies and practices within their own organizations.
This simulation didn’t just educate—it activated. It reminded us all that reentry is not a moment, but a process, and that systems must be reimagined to support—not punish—people as they return home.